Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child, took part in the National Learning Event under the Awaz 2 programme, held in collaboration with UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, FCDO and the British Council, and chaired a session on strengthening child protection systems across Pakistan.
In her remarks she outlined the commission’s mandate and highlighted key initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting child rights nationwide. She stressed the urgency of establishing uniform legal protection for every child and called for harmonizing the age of marriage at 18 years across all provinces to remove legal inconsistencies that leave children vulnerable.
The Chairperson underlined that passing child protection laws must be followed by practical measures for effective implementation, including clear rules of business, dedicated budget allocations and a cadre of well trained personnel. Strong systems, she said, require sustained investment and institutional clarity so that policies translate into real protection on the ground.
“A child protection system is not built overnight; it is built through persistence, partnerships and political will,” she remarked, urging government bodies, development partners and civil society to convert discussions into sustainable policy actions that strengthen services and accountability at provincial and district levels.
Her remarks at the National Learning Event reiterated the need for collaborative action and consistent national standards so that child protection mechanisms deliver measurable results across Pakistan.
